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A review by lauren_soderberg
Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills
5.0
“Just… Please. Stay.”
Not My Match is a delicious opposites-attract story about an aspiring scientist and a professional football player with equal parts humor and depth.
Wide receiver Devon Walsh can’t explain why, but he’s fascinated by buttoned up grad student Giselle Riley. It’s too bad she’s off limits. However, when Giselle finds herself in need of temporary housing, he can’t help but offer her one of his extra rooms. And when sparks inevitably start to fly? Devon discovers that sometimes you can’t fight fate.
The second interconnected standalone in Ilsa Madden-Mills’s Game Changers series, Not My Match delivers a healthy amount of chemistry and humor. At first glance, it appears that Devon and Giselle have nothing in common, but as their true selves are revealed, you see how perfect they are for each other.
Devon is surprisingly sensitive and kind. I wouldn’t go so far to say that he is a cinnamon roll hero, but he definitely skates the line between CR and alpha in the most delightful way. And seeing Giselle come into her own power and to use her agency to pursue her dreams is inspiring to read.
“You are the best person in all my universes.”
One theme that is consistent throughout Madden-Mills’s work is the idea of fate. She cleverly weaves a feeling of connection between her protagonists, leaving the reader enraptured and wholly invested in the outcome of their story. The fact that there are some beautifully crafted love scenes? An added bonus to an already rich narrative. Though fate is definitely a factor, it is the characters’ works that make the novel complete. This novel cleverly explores the idea of what it means to love someone, and whether or not that love is enough.
This is an excellent novel to start the new year off on a high note. I already anticipate it making my top reads list of 2021.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Not My Match is a delicious opposites-attract story about an aspiring scientist and a professional football player with equal parts humor and depth.
Wide receiver Devon Walsh can’t explain why, but he’s fascinated by buttoned up grad student Giselle Riley. It’s too bad she’s off limits. However, when Giselle finds herself in need of temporary housing, he can’t help but offer her one of his extra rooms. And when sparks inevitably start to fly? Devon discovers that sometimes you can’t fight fate.
The second interconnected standalone in Ilsa Madden-Mills’s Game Changers series, Not My Match delivers a healthy amount of chemistry and humor. At first glance, it appears that Devon and Giselle have nothing in common, but as their true selves are revealed, you see how perfect they are for each other.
Devon is surprisingly sensitive and kind. I wouldn’t go so far to say that he is a cinnamon roll hero, but he definitely skates the line between CR and alpha in the most delightful way. And seeing Giselle come into her own power and to use her agency to pursue her dreams is inspiring to read.
“You are the best person in all my universes.”
One theme that is consistent throughout Madden-Mills’s work is the idea of fate. She cleverly weaves a feeling of connection between her protagonists, leaving the reader enraptured and wholly invested in the outcome of their story. The fact that there are some beautifully crafted love scenes? An added bonus to an already rich narrative. Though fate is definitely a factor, it is the characters’ works that make the novel complete. This novel cleverly explores the idea of what it means to love someone, and whether or not that love is enough.
This is an excellent novel to start the new year off on a high note. I already anticipate it making my top reads list of 2021.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.